What to Have for Lunch Today: Chicken and Waffle at Hard Knox Café

John Birdsall

Chicken and waffle ($9).

​Fri., April 30, 2010

bayareabites/Flickr

​The daily special chicken and waffle at Hard Knox's Dogpatch original is ― we hereby make it official ― the best in town (to find better, you'd have to steer your Subaru to West Oakland). The bird's spent time in some garlicky marinade, we figure, three pieces with a salty, bubbly coating that hives off in places like crackly tree bark. Greasy? Yes ― it'd be bogus if it weren't. The waffle turns out soft and stretchy, its ball of melting butter the perfect diner mix of salt and faintly yeasty animal funk. Dear Hard Knox: Promise us you'll find a slot for this on the regular menu?

Hard Knox Café 2526 Third St. (at 22nd St.), 648-3770